Helsinki – Blue Moment

Day 102: When The World Turns Pink

May 24, 2026May 24, 2026Posted in Outdoors, Nature, 365 Project, HelsinkiTagged 365 Project, Nature, Scenery, Helsinki, SpringLeave a comment

A few years ago, Stuart and I took our bikes on the metro to the opposite side of Helsinki. It is a great way to find some new interesting routes, instead of riding the same routes over and over again.

Anyway, on that day we stumbled upon the biggest pocket of cherry trees in Helsinki. It was the peak blossom time, and the park was phenomenal.

This year, when I saw the cherries are blooming, I decided to go back with a proper camera. But, as it so often happens, I got busy and waited a few days too long. I managed to catch the blooms maybe on the last day they were still properly pink. The sunnier batches of the trees had already turned green.

I’ll try again next year.

Day 101: Farewell

May 23, 2026May 23, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Work, HelsinkiTagged 365 Project, Helsinki, WineLeave a comment

We had a farewell dinner for a team member, Ed, today. It started calmly enough in a nice Italian restaurant, but the time we hit the second coctail bar, I was glad the next day was a public holiday.

A good night out.

Day 99: The Gods of Photography

May 19, 2026May 19, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Architecture, HelsinkiTagged 365 Project, Helsinki, ArchitectureLeave a comment

There are moments when everything lines up – the building facade, the old green Beetle, the surfboard… The gods of photography have given you their blessing.

There is also truth to the idea that the more you practice, the luckier you get. In photography, it can be changed to: the more you walk around frustrated, the less lucky you feel. But you do learn to appreciate the rare lucky shot.

Day 92: Queens of the Carousel

May 11, 2026May 11, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Family, Helsinki, Kiara, Outdoors, StuartTagged 365 Project, Activities, Alanna, Children, family, Helsinki, Holidays, Kiara, Outdoors, StuartLeave a comment

With a long weekend of Vappu celebrations and sun behind us, no one plans a trip to amusement park on the Sunday when the forecast promises rain.

Except us.

And it came together perfectly: the weather stayed clear, the rides were practically empty and, best of all, the girls had finally passed the next height limit, which opened up a whole host of new rides.

To use girls’ own words: ” Everything was the best!”.

Day 89: Day of balloons and funny hats

May 8, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Helsinki, TraditionsTagged 365 Project, Helsinki, HolidaysLeave a comment

I stepped out of the office today and realized I have forgotten the culmination of Vappu (May Day) in Helsinki: Mantan Lakitus.

It is a dramatized placing of a Finnish matriculation hat on Havis Amanda, the statue in Helsinki harbor, by one of the university student unions. So naturally, tens of thousands of people come every year to see it. This year, the weather was fine, so the event gathered 80,000 people to Market Square.

The last time I participated was when I was a student myself. So, as the time was almost right, I decided to go and take some photos.

I gave up before I even saw Havis Amanda in the distance.

Too crowded.

The overalls are the “official” party outfits for university students. Each student union has it’s own color and you are not, for example, allowed to use it after graduation. It may sound stupid, but it is one of the things I miss the most from my student days…

Day 87: Railway

May 5, 2026May 4, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Architecture, Helsinki, TravellingTagged 365 Project, Architecture, Helsinki, History, TravelLeave a comment

Train travel in Finland is incredibly comfortable and, in many instances, very convenient. But as it feels awkward to start taking photos in a train carriage, you’ll just have to take my word for it.

Instead, I took a few shots at the Helsinki railway station. At a first glance, it is a quite a modest building. In fact, as I never eat at the station, I passed through the building a hundred times before properly looking around. Especially the restaurants in the old section are gorgeous Art Nouveau. Not something you expect from such a small railway station.

The metro tunnel underneath, less so.

Day 75: Office Dog

April 21, 2026April 21, 2026Posted in 365 Project, Helsinki, WorkTagged 365 Project, HelsinkiLeave a comment

Dogs are welcome in our office, so there are often furry visitors – big and small. Surprisingly often, there are kids as well, although typically only for an hour or two.

I have never yet seen a cat in the office. Or a parrot.